GREY NURSE SHARK
Carcharias taurus
The Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias taurus) is a critically endangered species found in coastal waters of Australia. This shark plays a vital ecological role as an apex predator. Despite its formidable appearance, it is non-aggressive towards humans but faces severe threats from habitat degradation and fishing pressures.
HABITAT
Grey Nurse Sharks inhabit coastal waters, ranging from the surf zone to offshore reefs, with a typical depth preference of 15 to 25 meters but occasional sightings at depths reaching up to 232 meters.
BREEDING
Grey Nurse Sharks display intricate courtship rituals and mating behaviours, with males guarding females post-copulation. They give birth to live young, typically bearing two pups every other year after a gestation period of 9 to 12 months. Males reach sexual maturity around 6 to 7 years old, females at 9 to 10, with a maximum observed lifespan of 17 years in the wild, though they can live over 30 years in captivity.
SIZE
Male Grey Nurse Sharks typically grow to 1.9 to 2 meters in length, with rare instances of individuals reaching over 2.5 meters. Females generally range from 2.2 to 2.3 meters, although reports suggest sizes of up to 3.25 meters, with an unconfirmed record of 4.3 meters.
DIET
Grey Nurse Sharks have a varied diet consisting mainly of bony fishes, supplemented with occasional consumption of smaller sharks, rays, and cephalopods.
BEHAVIOUR
Grey Nurse Sharks are slow yet robust swimmers, exhibiting highly migratory behaviour. They achieve neutral buoyancy by gulping air into their stomachs and possess the largest brain among all Lamnidae sharks.
OVERVIEW
IUCN Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Class Chondrichthyes
Genus Carcharias
Family Odontaspididae
Order Lamniformes
